Editorial 2025
(Feb. 2025). Donald Trump has regained the presidential seat for a 2nd term in office. Trump’s traditional “transactionalism” is expected to surge again to force America’s closest allies to pay their dues, deliver on security issues, and bridge any trade deficit with commercial partners. Such is the current situation with Canada and Mexico, threatened with tariffs to push allies to increase resources on the border and double their efforts on border security to deal with illegal aliens and drug trafficking crossing into American soil. A few days after Trump’s Jan 20 inauguration, the White House announced tariffs on Canada and Mexico would be in force unless America’s closest allies increase security measures to stop illegal immigration and fentanyl smuggling into the USA. After the initial political uproar, both Canada and Mexico had phone conversations with Trump and agreed to mobilize resources, monitor and restrict illegal entry, and deepen surveillance of drug smuggling. Having hit a security goal, Trump announced the suspension of tariffs for 30 days.